FARMINGTON — The Farmington Seed Savers Group has announced the winter program, which opened Jan. 19 with the topic of “Growing Sweet Corn, Flour Corn, Popcorn and Saving Seeds in Franklin County.”

Speakers were Pamela Prodan and Conrad Heeschen, Wilton, and Dave Kidd, West Freeman.

The Medomak Valley Heirloom Seed Project will be explained by Neil Lash, co-founder and director, on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Lash will discuss how the project, run by the second-year horticulture students at Medomak Valley High School, was started. The students are responsible for planting, harvesting, ordering and sending heirloom seeds to collectors around the world. More than 500 offerings are available through their catalog and web site.

The project selects seeds for their historical and genetic significance. In 2010, a living history arboretum was started. Rare breeds of poultry will be raised this year to heighten the awareness of endangered poultry breeds.

“Saving Seeds of Biennials – Why It Matters” will be discussed by Will Bonsall, Scatterseed Project, on Thursday, March 15.

Biennials are plants that require two seasons to complete their life cycle from seed to seed.

Bonsall will discuss how to deal with challenges of saving biennial seeds: carrying stock plants through the winter, population size; selecting which plants to use for parents; and isolating varieties for purity necessary since all biennials are outcrossers. Genetic diversity in biennial species is more threatened than the popular, easier-to-save, beans and tomatoes.

The sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Farmington Grange Hall, Bridge Street, West Farmington. Admission is $5. The program includes light refreshments.

The Farmington Seed Savers Group is a local group of gardeners and small farmers whose focus is on education and on preserving vegetable varieties suited to the region.